Migrant Report : Hungary closes border with Croatia

Hungary has closed its border with Croatia in an effort to stem the flow of migrants through the country en route to western Europe.

Croatia said it would begin directing migrants to Slovenia instead.

Hungary has been a major transit country for migrants, many of whom aim to continue on to Austria and Germany.

It announced the closure on Friday after EU leaders failed to agree a plan backed by Hungary to send a force to prevent migrants reaching Greece.

The border, reinforced with a razor-wire fence, closed at midnight (22:00 GMT) on Friday.

A group of several hundred migrants who arrived near the village of Zakany minutes before the deadline were the last to be allowed through.

"Closure!" a soldier shouted after the last travellers had passed across.

"We know that this is not the best, but only the second-best solution," Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said, announcing the closure earlier. Migrants could still apply for asylum in Hungary at two border transit zones, he added.

The border posts at Beremend and Letenje are also open for anyone with valid documents.

Hungary has already sealed its border with Serbia.

There are fears in Slovenia that closure of the Croatia-Hungary border will channel many more migrants through Slovenia.